Initial Response Statement post SCOTUS
Sandy and I are grateful for the prayers and support as we have sought to defend the rights of Baptists. While we are disappointed the Supreme Court did not choose to grant cert in this particular case, we trust that in time justice will be done and the rights of Baptist people and partners restored. This decision will have an impact on millions of Baptists and other religious groups.
The SBC and all of its entities won Pyrrhic victories today and in the September 2025 5th Circuit’s 2-1 ruling. Today after 9 years in the courts, NAMB won and secured their right to do what God forbids, to defame and interfere with Baptist ministers, partners and financial supporters. Over time, their victory will be seen as a historic loss in multiple ways. NAMB has made clear in their statement that anyone who supports the mission efforts of the SBC can be defamed and their employment can be interfered with by SBC leaders without Baptist partners having the right to defend themselves in court.
As in other faith traditions like Catholics, now Baptist leaders, ministers and partners will know for certain that they have given up their personal legal rights with their voluntary partnering or contributing to the SBC. Sadly, this can already be seen in the Garner vs SBC court case before the TN Supreme Court where SBC leaders also lied to the TN Supreme Court justices.
We pray the silence by those who tolerated the lies and deceptions to the courts will be broken and wrongdoings exposed. We pray there will be forthcoming repentance by SBC entity leaders, trustees, and other Baptist leaders resulting in a surge of renewed commitment to righteousness and truth telling above all as an act of obedience to God’s Word.
I will have a fuller statement in the next couple of days. More information and links to articles will be available on my website.
Top article on the Consequences
“The Cooperative Program After McRaney: Give Money, Surrender Rights” – David Morrill, Feb. 23, 2026
Amicus Brief to TN Supreme Court – Garner v SBC
Baptist Pastors and Leaders ask TN Supreme Court to not make the same mistake made in McRaney v NAMB in Amicus Brief filed March 13, 2026
“New Amicus Brief Takes Aim at Fifth Circuit’s McRaney v. NAMB decision, Warns SBC’s Legal Position could Create a ‘No-Resource Zone’ for Ministers” The Baptist Report, March 15, 2026
Select Articles on the Case from various authors and sources
“SBC Leaders are Fighting for the “Religious Freedom” to Defame Baptist Pastors“– Baptist Religious Liberty Attorney, Jon Whitehead, Feb. 11, 2026
“No, Religious Liberty Doesn’t Depend “Protecting Defamation” – Baptist Religious Liberty Attorney Jon Whitehead, Feb. 18, 2026
“The Cooperative Program After McRaney: Give Money, Surrender Rights” – David Morill, Feb. 23, 2026
“The McRaney Case is a Disaster for Baptists – And Many Still Don’t See It” – David Morrill, Feb. 18, 2026
“McRaney Case Ends, but Debate Continues Over Implications for Baptist Cooperation” – The Christian Index, Henry Durand, March 5, 2026.
“Supreme Court Won’t Hear McRaney’s Appeal” – Mark Wingfield, Feb. 23, 2026
“New Analysis: Supreme Court’s Silence in McRaney vs. NAMB leaves Southern Baptists Facing an Unchartered legal Landscape” – The Baptist Report, Feb. 24, 2026
“Supreme Court declines McRaney case, ending lawsuit against NAMB” – SBC’s Baptist Press – Feb. 23, 2026
“Leaders Warn Foundation Principles of Baptist Polity and Religious Liberty are at Stake if the Fish Circuit Ruling McRaney v. North American Mission Board Stands” – The Baptist Report, Feb. 17, 2026
“Conservative Lawyer Warns of Legal Overreach by NAMB and SBC” – Mark Wingfield, Feb. 12, 2026
“Missouri Attorney Warns SBC Legal Strategy Could Create ‘Chilling Effect’ on Pastors’ Free Speech” – The Baptist Report, Feb. 12, 2026
“52 Baptist Leaders Sign Amicus Brief Supporting McRaney” – Mark Wingfield, Feb. 9, 2026
“Baptist Leaders Urge Supreme Court to Rein in Expansive Church Autonomy Ruling” – The Baptist Report, Feb. 9, 2026
“McRaney Appeals to SCOTUS in Lawsuit Against NAMB” – Will Hall, Jan. 13, 2026
“With Circuit Panel Rules 2-1 in Favor of NAMB and Against McRaney” – Mark Wingfiled, Sept. 9, 2025
“McRaney Hearing Explores Whether there are Any Times Courts May Decide ‘Religious’ Matters” – Mark Wingfield, April 4, 2024
“A Battle for Baptist Autonomy: The McRaney Case Against the North American Mission Board and Why It Should Matter to Southern Baptists” – The Baptist Report, April 1, 2024
“McRaney Warns Dismissal of His Case Against NAMB Raises Urgent Threat to Baptist Autonomy” – Mark Wingfield, Aug. 17, 2023
“U.S. District Judge Dismisses McRaney’s Case Against NAMB” – Mark Wingfield, Aug. 15, 2023
“Key Witness Offers Damning Testimony Against Ezell as NAMB gets McRaney Trial Delayed Two Months” – Mark Wingfield, March 6, 2023
“Seven Years Later, Will McRaney Might get His Day in Court Against NAMB – Maybe” – Mark Wingfield and Maina Mwara, August 29, 2022